Gaia Telescope unveils 3D map of 44 million stars and stellar nurseries in Milky Way galaxy

This is a still image of the animation showing Gaia’s star-formation map in 3D. (Image: Reddish-pink nebulas spread their tendrils across a backdrop of sparkling white stars. Reddish-pink nebulas spread their tendrils across a backdrop of sparkling white stars. (Image credit: ESA/Gaia)

Sweeping pink clouds and glittering stars now light up the galaxy in a dazzling new image from the Gaia Space Telescope. The European Space Agency shared the scene as part of a project mapping the Milky Way in three dimensions, opening a fresh window into star formation.

What does the new Gaia image show?
The image reveals reddish nebulas and clusters of stars in star-forming regions once hidden from view. These vibrant nurseries sit within 4,000 light-years of the Sun. Scientists identified 44 million stars, including 87 O-type stars.

These giant babies shine bright ultraviolet light, forming bubbles of ionised hydrogen gas that are known as HII regions. By tracking these clouds, astronomers can identify stellar cradles and how far these elusive stars stretch out into the galaxy.

How was the map of the stars made?

Astronomers employed Gaia's one-billion-pixel camera to take the areas from various angles. Gaia was launched in December 2013 and mapped until January 2024, collecting detailed information of the Milky Way. This effort assisted in overcoming a significant challenge: Earth-based observations only provided a single angle of the star nurseries.

With Gaia’s map, researchers can now rotate through the galaxy’s seedbeds and study them in unprecedented detail.

What regions are included in the map?
The newly unveiled map features well-known formations like the Gum Nebula, the North American Nebula and the California Nebula. ESA also released a video offering a virtual tour, allowing the public to sweep across the galactic nurseries in three dimensions. The release not only broadens scientific understanding but also gives viewers a chance to witness the artistry of star birth within our own galaxy.